WZZM 13 and Dish Network in showdown that may result in takedown next week

WZZM-13 meteorologist George Lessens and news anchor Lee Van Ameyde -- shown at a celebration of the station's 50th anniversary last spring, may be off the Dish Network next week if a dispute over fees and commercial-skipping technology continues. File photo | Mlive Media Group

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – WZZM 13 and the Dish Network are in a showdown that may end up taking the local station off the satellite television service on Monday.

Gannett Broadcasting Inc., the parent company of the ABC affiliate, is in a dispute with Dish over the fees it charges to carry the local signals in 19 Gannett markets.

Dish executives also said Gannett is demanding that DISH suspend a commercial-skipping feature on its new DVRs.

As Monday’s deadline for a new contract approaches, both sides are pointing fingers and appealing to customer loyalties.

“We agree – it is unfair,” said a “frequently asked questions” feature about the dispute on the station’s web site. “After all, you pay your bill to Dish every month. You deserve the full set of channels you are paying for.”

The Englewood, Colorado-based satellite network offered a different viewpoint in a news release:

“Gannett Broadcasting Inc., is threatening to block Dish customers’ access to programming unless Dish agrees to pay massive penalties or stop its customers from having access to Dish’s new commercial-skipping AutoHop™ feature,” the news release said.

“Dish has already offered to pay Gannett market rates, including an increase of more than 200% above current rates, and has offered to extend the contract to continue to deliver programming to DISH customers during ongoing negotiations. Gannett has refused.”

WZZM 13 officials have fired back, listing Dish competitors on their website that carry its signal via cable and satellite services. They also note their programming is available “free over-the-air.”

The satellite network said a new commercial-skipping technology offered by Dish is in dispute.

“Dish has delivered innovation to improve upon technology that has been in the viewers’ hands for decades. Viewers have been skipping commercials in the privacy of their own homes for generations,” said Dave Shull, DISH senior vice president of programming.

“The TV industry should be doing just that, delivering innovation and viewer control,” Shull said. “Gannett is stifling innovation and crushing customer choice and control. That’s insulting to our subscribers and we won’t stand for it.”

The WZZM 13 website did not address the Dish Network’s claims about its “AutoHop” feature.

Station officials said they have “successfully negotiated agreements with all the other providers in our area based on the same basic terms that are being offered to Dish.”

The satellite network made similar claims in its news release.

“Dish carries nearly 1,700 local channels across the country; and Dish has negotiated new agreements with broadcasters on the rights to carry hundreds of channels this year alone. As a result, Dish knows with certainty that its offer to Gannett is fair.”